Robbie Rogers Comes Out In Poignant Letter

In a more than admirable move, Robbie Rogers, now ex-MLS-er and player for the US National Team, declared his retirement (or at least sabbatical, by the wording) while simultaneously coming out of the closet. In a short letter on his website, he made the announcement, and in the process, earned quite a bit of respect.

Secrets can cause so much internal damage. People love to preach about honesty, how honesty is so plain and simple. Try explaining to your loved ones after 25 years you are gay. Try convincing yourself that your creator has the most wonderful purpose for you even though you were taught differently.

I always thought I could hide this secret. Football was my escape, my purpose, my identity. Football hid my secret, gave me more joy than I could have ever imagined… I will always be thankful for my career. I will remember Beijing, The MLS Cup, and most of all my teammates. I will never forget the friends I have made a long the way and the friends that supported me once they knew my secret.

The full post can be read at his website, and you absolutely should.

He co-owns a clothing line, so he’ll be okay, though he might be a maverick in that regard – a man running a fashion company is actually gay. Who knew that could happen? (Too soon?)

More players should absolutely be following his lead, and hopefully they will.

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Category: World Football